Workers at Hyundai truck chassis factory near Tijuana call for support

From Support Committee for Maquiladora Workers, 7 June, 1997

Workers at the Han Young de Mexico maquiladora, which produces chassis and
platforms for tractor-trailer trucks for Hyundai Precision America, refused
to enter the plant in Tijuana on June 2 to demonstrate their unified demand
for union recognition. A majority of the workers have expressed their
support for an independent union.

While the company's failure to pay utilidades, the 2 % profit-sharing bonus
required under Mexican labor law, was the immediate impetus for the work
stoppage, the workers' overriding concern is for the health and safety
problems in the plant. Welders are often not provided with appropriate
facial shields, gloves, coveralls or safety shoes. Some workers are losing
their vision, and many experience a burning sensation in their eyes due to
constant exposure to lead fumes. Workers exhibit burns on their hands,
chests arms and clothing.

While the workers assemble and weld at least 26 chassis daily, and the
chassis sell for $1800 each, they make 280-360 pesos ($33-$46) weekly.
Workers complain this is not enough for their basic necessities. Han Young
employs 125 workers. Current production involves a large contract Hyundai
has to produce trucks for the US Marines.

The Han Young maquiladora, like most maquiladoras in Tijuana, pays a
government-connected "union" known as the Confederacion Regional de Obreros
Mexicanos (CROM). Workers do not participate in any meetings of the "union"
and have never seen a copy of its contract with the company. It is a
standard practice by the maquiladora industry to pay for "protection
contracts" against independent organizing by workers.

It is clear that international pressure can play a key role in the Mexican
government's inclination to recognize the workers' right to organize a union
of their own and in the company's decision to bargain with the union. The
Support Committee urges you to send letters immediately to the Mexican Labor
Board (Junta de Conciliacion y Arbitaje) with copies to the Governor of Baja
California and Hyundai and Han Young, expressing our solidarity with
striking workers.

Demand recognition of maquiladora workers' rights to organize their own union!

Please fax letters to

Antonio Ortiz, Presidente
Junta de Conciliacion y Arbitraje
011-52 (66) 86 33 00
If that number does not answer, call 011-52-66-86-32-14 and say you want to send a fax.